If the age limit was lowered it would fall into the hands of so many young people that won't drink responsibly. As for the military, you can join when your 17. And that isn't a problem. A kid is willing to give up his life for his country and the people in it. He doesn't go because he wants to die. He goes knowing he might die. I would have a lot more respect for a guy that joined the Marine Corps first thing out of high school then a guy that drank at parties all the time out first thing or even in high school. Alcohol is a drug and is addictive. It would harm kids and would make college and some of high school harder. Keep the drinking age limit where it is.